We spent a week at the hotel and wish we'd read all the reviews prior to arriving at the hotel as we would have been better informed. We booked via the Thomson website and paid extra to get a 'Junior Suite with Balcony'. We were told we had been upgraded to a better suite so I was therefore disappointed to find that the Thomson described 'balcony' was a courtyard with a small table and two upright chairs (ie no sunbeds, which would have been nice) overlooking the tennis court and carpark and that there was no sea view. We carried our own luggage from the carpark, (the huge gates opened with a key we were given) however we later saw a uniformed gentleman taking people's luggage on a glamorous gold barred luggage trolley. This would have been nice too! The lovely gardens were to the side and to the rear was what appeared to be a farm from where we heard gunshots during the day and night. The first night was disturbed as the two single beds, pushed together to make a double, had metal headboards with metal crowns which squeaked and the metal frame clanked whenever I moved. The beds seem, from research today, to be typical of the area.
We had a jacuzzi corner bath with a shower screen. The shower was not powerful, but adequate, however the surface of the bath was slippery and there was very little flat surface making it hazardous. There was no rubber mat. My husband was concerned as he recently had a hip operation and didn't want to fall over. With our upgraded suite we had tea/coffee-making facilities and I was glad we brought our own tea as we are not keen on fruit tea. We took milk from the breakfast table. The kettle had a broken lid which didn't shut and being slower than usual on holiday, I forgot to mention this to Reception. It was however dangerous as it didn't turn off on its own.
We were not told about the private, chargeable, beach and have since found this out through reading reviews. We did walk along the beach, which is stoney but clean and busy with locals at weekends. It was just outside the hotel so no car park charges would be necessary. Fees are paid until mid September to park. The staff always greeted us with smiles and even the gardeners wished us a good day. We didn't see any family, who also live there. We ate in the pool bar on the first day at lunchtime: 2 x bread - 4 eu, 2 caesar salads - 26 eu, 2 espressos - 3 eu and a bottle of house wine - 20 eu - total 53.00 euros. In the evening we had bread, a starter, main course and shared a dessert with another bottle of house wine - total 115 eu. We had spent 184 eu since lunchtime and found the food very oily and expensive so decided to find another restaurant nearby. This we did exceptionally well and I have reviewed this separately. Breakfast, when 10am closing approached was usually uncomfortable as the food table was cleared very fast as if the staff had another job to go to. Don't be late as they shut the gates! Room service is available.
The pool is large, a good temperature for cooling off and I loved the gargoyle overlooking the pool. I could have taken him home! When we arrived we were given a quick mini tour of the site, shown where the restaurant was, the pool from the top of the steps, the bar area (where later that evening we paid 16 euros for two shots of grappa) and we were shown the outside door of the Spa. On departure we found out that the Spa had a sauna and was larger than the front Spa open area with treatment beds which we had seen. We regularly visit a spa at home so were not keen to pay for treatments.
We had a good holiday but feel that a few areas at the hotel could be improved, including the bar prices which are too high for British. A car is needed as the island's sights are many and it the hotel is not central to Taormina.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
23 September 2011
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your personal evaluation. We apreciate the time you spent for us.
Unfortunately we see that some complaints comes from incorrect information provided by third parties to whom we are not directly responsible.
The information on our official website are detailed and precise. (we are so close to the privat seasonal beach, 50m from our park, but no sea view described anywere, we suggest to anyone else to check it by goole sat map on our web page)
Responding on the prices subject we think that they match the average prices of a Sicilian 4 star hotel.
Absolutely normal when you offer daily fresh fish, fresh vegetables, and helpful and professional staff.
However we would like to make some clarifications about:
The hotel offers its guests some free features, that generate huge costs for their management. we refer to the 38.00 sqm park, always well maintained, the great pool that dedicate 8 sqm surface for each guest, objectively an unusual average size, a particular winery lounge from 1892, and not least the maintenance of abig authentic castle from 1689, that by the constant restoration project, gives visitors a unique show.
We are pleased and proud to offer without any extra charge these and other things which represent our unique offer.
Aware of the fact that tastes cannot be discussed, we apologize for complaining about the kitchen, but we would like to inform you that the oil found in abundance in our food is nothing else that the main element of Mediterranean cuisine, the healthy extra virgin olive oil, which moreover in our case is always top quality.
In conclusion, wanting to be objective and give correct and complete information to all the travellers, we believe that your opinion was definitely useful but also quite severe.
After all, we offered you, without any particular reason but just because we take in care the comfort of our guests, a free upgrade in to a de luxe suite with Jacuzzi and all the superior amenities, even just for this reason we would have expected a different treatment.
We are sorry and we hope you will find our services improved in case of a next visit.
Thank you for choosing us
Best Regards
Daniele Murabito
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
